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Abstract

In most countries the rate of female entrepreneurship is around half of that for males (Reynolds et al, 2000). In an era when the vast majority of the modern world has legislative and practical gender equality in terms of economic opportunity, a common question for studies of entrepreneurship is why female rates consistently lag behind those of males. Using results obtained in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2000, the current paper attempts to go some way towards answering this question by analysing rates of entrepreneurship amongst males and females in two similarly sized European countries: Finland and Scotland. Differences and similarities in types and characteristics of female entrepreneurs and female-owned businesses in the two countries are also investigated, as are culture, attitudes to entrepreneurship and public support systems (including education). This comparative study evidences that female entrepreneurship often comprises unique circumstances and characteristics, such as differences (from males) in motivations for start-up and for business growth, and limited variation in industry sector entered. The study also shows that female business owners tend to maintain traditional domestic roles alongside their professional one. While further research is necessary, it is clear that if rates of female entrepreneurship are to increase, as is identified as a priority in both Finland and Scotland (Ministry of Trade and Industry, Finland, 2000,Scottish Enterprise, 2001), greater consideration should be taken of the different profile female entrepreneurs can have from males, as well as specific socio-cultural and institutionalised constraints to female enterprise.